MY · Terengganu · 4.34°N 103.48°E

kijal

Lemang roasting in bamboo by the roadside, and a long, quiet beach between two headlands.

Best time
March to September for the beach. The north-east monsoon, roughly November to February, brings big waves and heavy rain. The lemang stalls run all year.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 4 hours' drive from KL on the East Coast Expressway, leaving at the Kijal exit. It's about 20–30 minutes north of Chukai on the coast road. Or fly from KL to Kuantan (about 45 minutes) and drive about 1.5 hours.
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MY · Terengganukijal4.34°N 103.48°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Lemang roasting in bamboo by the roadside, and a long, quiet beach between two headlands.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKijalMY, Terengganu
KLkijal
≈ 239 km from KL, as the crow flies

A kampung on the coast road north of Chukai, and the place to stop for lemang: roadside stalls roast glutinous rice in bamboo over open fires, busiest in the days before Hari Raya. Behind them is about 8 km of quiet beach between two rocky headlands.

Makan

  1. LemangGlutinous rice and coconut milk cooked in bamboo. Eat it with rendang or serunding.Map ↗
  2. DurianKijal is known for its durian too. Look for roadside stalls in season.Map ↗
  3. Keropok lekorA hot bag of fish sausage from the stalls along the coast road.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The lemang stallsWatch the bamboo tubes roasting over the fires along the main road, and buy a few for the car.Map ↗
  2. Pantai KijalA long, east-facing beach, quiet on weekdays. Come early for the sunrise.Map ↗
  3. Bukit PenunjukThe southern headland, with a rock in the sea called the sleeping giant and fishing boats moored in the estuary.Map ↗
  4. ChukaiKopi and roti bakar at Kemaman's old kopitiams, about half an hour south.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Pull well off the road to buy lemang. The coast road carries fast traffic.
  • In the last days before Hari Raya the stalls are packed. Come early in the day.
  • Swim only when the sea is calm, and never during the monsoon.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.